A Solar Powered Shop
I’d been thinking about solar panels for years, but when in June I became aware of the new federal “Greener Homes Grant” program that offered up to $5000 to offset the cost of a solar power system I decided to look into it. I googled “solar calgary” (or something like that) and came up with a number of providers offering to give me an estimate.
Generally, they needed to see a copy of my power bill so that they could see my usual power consumption. Enmax does not allow you to install more capacity than 110% of your annual usage and a permit from them is necessary. Why the limit, I’m not sure. Google earth let them see my property, the orientation of my buildings and the trees and other buildings that might block sunshine to my roof. They asked questions about the electric system I had, connections I had to the garage, and what space I had in my breaker panels. In the end, I signed a contract in mid July with SolarYYC, a local company that specializes in residential installations, for a 4.125 KW system. The grant program should pay out $1000 per KW.
One of the stipulations of the grant program is that one must get an energy audit done before any work is done, as well as a second audit after it is done. The grant program will cover up to $600 for these audits. At a cost of $472.50, Energyguy came out to do the initial audit and listed a solar system as a recommendation. The final audit, once everything is complete, will cost another $262.50.
Once I signed the contract, the wait was on for Enmax to give the permit, and with the interest in the grant program, they seem to be backed up. SolarYYC took care of all the paperwork and applications, and Enmax cc’ed me on the application process. By early September they had the necessary permits in hand and they set a date for the installation. The crew arrived at 9 am and by 1 pm everything was installed, wiring was done and my electric meter was running backwards!
Solar Panels on my Shop
The city then came out to inspect it and put their stamp of approval on it. A few days ago, Enmax came and swapped my old meter out for a new two-way meter, and I am awaiting the final audit, after which I hope to get my grant money.
During the summer sunny days, I will be generating more power than I can use and the excess will go back onto the grid. My power provider must reimburse me for that power at its going rate. During cloudy days, and at night, I will be drawing from the grid. Solar is ideal for my wood shop in that it draws the most power during the day, just when my panels are producing. When the sun goes down, I’ve usually quit for the day. It should be noted that the only parts of my power bill this will affect are those parts that are based on usage. Administration fees, transmission fees etc. will remain the same.
How much was the total cost? The system, including GST, was $9464.28. The energy audits will run $735. The grant should pay back $4125 plus $600. My net cost should be $5474.28. It should be noted that my household power usage is below average because I have a gas, not electric stove, and we don’t use a clothes dryer. You might qualify for a larger system.
SolarYYC offers a referral bonus i.e., if I refer them to you and you sign up with them for a system, they pay me a fee. As an incentive to others to go solar, I will split this fee with anyone who signs up with them. Just tell them I sent you to them. When the job is done, they will give you a discount on the final bill and send me a small cheque.
I’m pleased that my shop power source is no longer based on coal or natural gas, but on renewable solar power. We live in a part of the world that is ideal for taping the power of the sun. Now is an affordable time to do it.